Mom Shares Her Boundaries Ahead Of Christmas: 'Baby Won't Be Passed Around'

Social media users can agree that setting boundaries is one of the most talked about topics online and one mom has specifically listed eight boundaries to help new parents navigate their first family gathering with a newborn.

Alexis, 33, from Dallas, Texas, has recently been praised on Instagram for outlining what should and shouldn't occur on Christmas Day. The video shared by the motherhood influencer has amassed more than 21,000 views.

The mom-of-three told Newsweek: "Parents set boundaries with their babies to provide a secure environment for them because they can't yet speak up to provide that for themselves!

"Establishing limits helps infants feel safe, understand family expectations, and learn appropriate behavior around families."

Alexis told Newsweek that all of the above apply to every family member—including her children's grandparents.

She explained: "If somebody kisses my baby, without permission, I immediately get upset. When someone does it, I'm just always confused as to why they think it's appropriate and acceptable because you would not expect someone to walk up to you in public and just randomly kiss you and be OK with it. It would be weird and creepy and it's the same for a baby.

"This boundary still applies to parents and siblings because infants and newborns are at risk for respiratory syncytial virus and have weakened immune systems. So limiting kissing is just a safe bet all around!"

It isn't just respiratory viruses that babies can catch but the herpes simplex virus too. Dr. Hana Patel, a clinical general practitioner, told Newsweek that babies can become seriously ill if they are kissed by someone who has a cold sore.

"Young babies have immature immune systems and are particularly susceptible to infections," Patel, who works for England's National Health Service said. "Even infections that cause mild symptoms such as a common cold in adults and older children can be life-threatening for babies.

"The risk of passing on infections to young babies can be greatly reduced by following simple hygiene measures like washing your hands before you touch a baby."

During the clip shared to @alexiskristiana, Alexis explains that people shouldn't play "hot potato" with a baby and family members are encouraged not to give unsolicited advice.

She says: "Keep your advice inside to yourself unless we ask for it, we don't want to hear it."

"Let's not talk about the comments on mom bodies, and how her body has changed since she became a mom because [that's] not cool," she adds.

She also points out that new moms shouldn't be expected to "hide in closets" or in the car to feed their baby. Instead, she suggests feeding the child, whenever and wherever is needed.

"Let's be understanding if we need to leave early," she said. "Let's not have a major freak out if we need to go early to meet the needs of our family because that's what comes first."

She ends the clip by asking for grace and respect for new moms as they are bound to be different to a year or two ago.

She said: "Now we have these babies and these kids; things are different."

The video has been a hit online and many women have commented, some of whom have shared why they are feeling anxious about December 25.

"We're having our third next Thursday and I'm having so much anxiety about Christmas eve/day and how that's going to look just a few days postpartum," said one user.

"You're my favorite. Well said Mama—well said," another commented.

Update 12/15/23, 05:50 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a new headline.

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